Organic produce is grown with natural fertilizers and with natural weed & pest control. Small local farmers often use organic methods but sometimes cannot afford to become certified organic. Visit a farmer’s market and talk with the farmers. Find out how they produce the fruits and vegetables they sell. You can even ask for a farm tour.

Organic food buying tips: Buy in season! Fruits and vegetables are cheapest and freshest when they are in season.

Why buy local, organic produce?

More money goes directly to the farmer and stays within the community to strengthen the local economy. It also requires less fuel and time to get to market resulting in fresher, tastier food for your table.

Fruits and vegetables where the organic label matters the most:

According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U.S., the following 12 fruits and vegetables, also known as the Dirty Dozen, have the highest pesticide levels on average. Because of their high pesticide levels when conventionally grown, it is best to buy these organic:

Apples

Strawberries

Grapes

Celery

Peaches

Spinach

Sweet Bell Peppers

Imported Nectarines

Cucumbers

Cherry Tomatoes

Imported Snap Peas

Potatoes

Non-organic fruits and vegetables with low pesticide levels:

These conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, also known as the Clean 15, were found to have the lowest levels of pesticides. Most of these have thicker skin or peel, which naturally protects them better from pests.

Avocado

Sweet Corn

Pineapples

Cabbage

Sweet Peas (Frozen)

Onions

Asparagus

Mangoes

Papayas

Kiwi

Eggplant

Grapefruit

Cantaloupe

Cauliflower

Sweet Potatoes

Why buy organic meat and dairy?

Livestock are given all organic feed.
Clean housing and rotational grazing.
Livestock must have access to the outdoors.

What are the benefits of organic wine?

Organic grapes are not sprayed with chemicals and are produced by sustainable farming methods. In addition to producing a healthier wine, this also creates brighter flavors in the wine.

Does organic wine still contain sulfites?

Organic wines contain less sulfites then traditional wines. Sulfites are salts or sulfurous acids that occur naturally in most wines (it is very rare to find a wine that does not have any sulfites). Traditional wines contain added sulfites to help in their preservation, whereas organic winemakers do not add sulfites. The less sulfites a wine contains, the healthier it will be for your body.